Window for an actuator, and actuator comprising a window

Abstract

The invention relates to a window (20) designed for a housing of an actuator for automation technology for actuating a valve fitting, such as a valve or a slide valve, in a media line, such as a pipeline, the window comprising: a support ring (21) made of a metallic material, in particular a corrosion-resistant material, having an inner surface (21.1) and an outer surface (21.2); and a transparent glass element (22) which is cast into the support ring and completely fills a cross-sectional area of the support ring.

Description

[0001] PC 25 1260 C July 29, 2025

[0002] Window for an actuator and an actuator with window

[0003] The invention relates to a window for an actuator of automation technology for actuating a fitting such as a valve or a gate in a media line such as a pipeline and such a window.

[0004] Windows are used in actuators to protect, for example, a position indicator as shown in WO2021224415A1 from harmful mechanical influences.

[0005] However, designing such windows to be stable over the long term, particularly with regard to explosion protection, proves problematic. Typical solutions, such as using potting compound to seal a window pane within a housing wall, or screwing the window pane into the housing wall, are not stable over the long term; achieving a pressure-resistant encapsulation with potting compound is difficult.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a window that can be used in actuators in a robust and long-term stable manner.

[0007] The problem is solved by a window according to independent claim 1 and by an actuator according to independent claim 9.

[0008] A window according to the invention, designed for a housing of an actuator for automation technology for actuating a fitting such as a valve or a gate in a media line such as a duct or a pipeline, comprises: PC 25 1260 C 2 / 14 July 29, 2025 a support ring made of a metallic, in particular stainless, material with an inside and an outside; a transparent glass, which is cast into the support ring and completely fills a cross-sectional area of ​​the support ring.

[0009] In this way, a potting compound between the support ring and the glass can be omitted, as the glass is held firmly in place by the support ring during the casting process. Furthermore, this method allows compliance with the requirements for flameproof enclosure type Ex d, for example, according to DIN EN 60079-1, particularly as of 2015-04, or IEC 60079-1 as of 2014-06.

[0010] In one embodiment, the metallic material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion, wherein the glass has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the second coefficient of thermal expansion being smaller than the first coefficient of thermal expansion.

[0011] This allows the cooling process after the glass has been poured into the support ring to create mechanical tension between the support ring and the glass, thus holding the glass in place.

[0012] In one embodiment, the deviation of the first coefficient of thermal expansion and the second coefficient of thermal expansion from an average value of the first coefficient of thermal expansion and the second coefficient of thermal expansion is less than 50% of the average value, and in particular less than 25% of the average value and preferably less than 15% of the average value.

[0013] This ensures that the mechanical PC 25 1260 C 3 / 14 29 July 2025

[0014] The tension between the support ring and the glass does not lead to the glass breaking.

[0015] In one embodiment, the glass is a borosilicate glass, a soda-lime glass, or a quartz glass.

[0016] In one embodiment, the metallic material comprises an iron material such as steel, in particular stainless steel or cast iron, or copper such as brass or bronze or aluminum.

[0017] In one embodiment, an inner surface of the inside of the support ring has at least a partial contour, which contour is at least partially covered by the glass, wherein the contour has, for example, grooves, ridges, slots or milled indentations.

[0018] This creates increased friction or a positive fit between the support ring and the glass. This ensures greater robustness in holding the glass in the support ring.

[0019] In one embodiment, the support ring has an inwardly extending collar against which the glass is supported. This prevents, for example, the glass from moving out of the support ring in one direction along a support ring axis.

[0020] In one embodiment, an outer surface of the outside has at least a partial contour, wherein the contour comprises, for example, grooves, ridges, slots or milled recesses, or a thread, in particular an Ex d thread. PC 25 1260 C 4 / 14 29 July 2025

[0021] An actuator according to the invention for automation technology for actuating a fitting such as a valve or a gate in a media line such as a channel or a pipeline comprises: a housing arrangement with at least one housing, wherein the at least one housing is each formed by a housing wall, wherein at least one of the at least one housing has a window according to one of the preceding claims, which is integrated into the housing wall of the housing.

[0022] In one embodiment, the integration of the window into the housing wall of the housing is accomplished by at least one of insertion, pressing in, plugging in, screwing in and / or wherein the window is held by positive locking or force locking.

[0023] In one embodiment, the actuator further comprises: a motor such as an electric motor or a fluid motor; an electronic operating circuit for operating the motor; an output for actuating the valve; a gearbox for transmitting a torque or force from the motor to the output; wherein the motor, output, electronic operating circuit and gearbox are arranged in the housing assembly.

[0024] In one embodiment, the actuator has a

[0025] Position indicator on , which is located in the housing and is controlled by the PC 25 1260 C 5 / 14 29. July 2025

[0026] The window is viewable.

[0027] In one embodiment, the housing is designed as a flameproof enclosure (Ex d) providing ignition protection. This allows compliance with explosion protection requirements. The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary window according to the invention;

[0029] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary actuator according to the invention.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary window 20 according to the invention for an actuator in automation technology, which is inserted in a housing wall 12 of the actuator housing. According to the invention, the window has a support ring 21 made of a metallic, in particular stainless, material, wherein the support ring 21 has an inner surface 21.1 and an outer surface 21.2 with respect to a longitudinal axis. Inside, or on the inner surface, the window has a transparent glass 22, which is cast into the support ring and completely fills a cross-sectional area of ​​the support ring. In this way, the need to support the glass in the housing wall, for example by means of a thread or potting, can be avoided. Casting the glass into the metallic support ring ensures a robust and secure hold of the glass in the support ring. The window can then be fastened in the housing wall via the support ring.The housing wall can have a collar 12.1 constricting a housing opening 12.3, as shown here, against which the support ring 21 can be supported. A sealing ring 25 can be arranged, for example, in a groove in the support ring or in the collar, between the collar 12.1 of the housing wall and the support ring 21. This allows, for example, a seal against water and / or dust to be achieved.

[0031] In one embodiment, the metallic material of the support ring 21 has a first coefficient of thermal expansion, while the glass 22 has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the second of which is smaller than the first. This ensures that during a cooling process after the glass has been poured into the support ring, the ring exerts mechanical stress on the glass. In this way, the glass is held firmly in the support ring.

[0032] In one embodiment, the deviation of the first and second coefficients of thermal expansion from their mean values ​​is less than 50%, and in particular less than 25%, and preferably less than 15%. This ensures that the mechanical stress exerted on the glass by the support ring does not lead to breakage.

[0033] The glass 22 can be, for example, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, or quartz glass. The metallic material can be an iron-based material such as steel, in particular stainless steel or cast iron, or copper such as brass or bronze, or aluminum.

[0034] An inner surface 21.11 of the inner side 21.1 of the support ring can have at least a section of contouring 23, which contouring is at least partially covered by the glass, wherein the contouring is, for example, grooves, PC 25 1260 C 7 / 14 29 July 2025

[0035] The glass has grooves, slots, or milled indentations. Since the glass, when poured into the support ring, penetrates the contour 23 and thus assumes a complementary contour, a positive fit is created between the support ring and the glass, which contributes to a secure hold of the glass in the support ring.

[0036] As shown in the enlarged section A, the ring can have an inwardly extending collar against which the glass is supported with respect to a force along the longitudinal axis.

[0037] The support ring 21 of the window 20 is inserted into a corresponding housing opening 12 . 3 of the housing wall 12. This can be achieved, for example, by insertion, pressing in, nesting, or screwing in; the window can be held by positive locking or frictional locking.

[0038] For this purpose, an outer surface 21 . 21 of the outer surface 21 . 2 can have at least a section-wise contouring 24, wherein the contouring is formed, for example, by grooves, scratches, slots or milled indentations or a thread, in particular an Ex d thread .

[0039] The window according to the invention allows a long-term stable and robust Ex d safe housing of an actuator to be formed.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary actuator 1 according to the invention for automation technology for actuating a fitting such as a valve or a gate in a media line such as a duct or a pipeline. The actuator has a motor 30, a gearbox 50 and an output 60, wherein the motor is configured to generate a force or torque, and the gearbox transmits the force or torque to the output. The output is configured to actuate the fitting by means of the force or torque. An electronic operating circuit 40 is configured to operate the motor 30.

[0041] Position indicator 70 is designed to display an actuation position or operating state to an operator of the actuator. A window 20 according to the invention is recessed into a wall of the housing 11, a housing arrangement 10 of the actuator. The housing arrangement can comprise a single housing or several housings, as shown here. For example, the electronic operating circuit can be arranged in a separate housing.

[0042] PC 25 1260 c 9 / 14 July 29, 2025

[0043] Reference symbol list

[0044] actuator

[0045] 10 Gehaus e ano ordnung

[0046] 11 cases

[0047] 12 Housing wall

[0048] 12.1 Collar

[0049] 12.2 Sealing ring

[0050] 12.3 Case opening

[0051] 20 windows

[0052] Level 20.1

[0053] 21 Support ring

[0054] 21.1 Inside

[0055] 21.11 Interior surface

[0056] 21.2 Outside

[0057] 21.21 Outdoor area

[0058] 21.3 Collar

[0059] 22 glasses

[0060] 23 Contouring

[0061] 24 Contouring

[0062] 25 sealing ring

[0063] 30 engine

[0064] 40 electronic operating circuit

[0065] 50 downforce

[0066] 70 position indicator

Claims

PC 25 1260 C 10 / 14 July 29, 2025 Claims 1. Window (20) designed for a housing of an actuator for automation technology for actuating a fitting such as a valve or a gate in a media line such as a duct or a pipeline, comprising: a support ring (21) made of a metallic, in particular stainless, material with an inner side (21.1) and an outer side (21.2); a transparent glass (22) which is cast into the support ring and completely fills a cross-sectional area of ​​the support ring.

2. Window according to claim 1, wherein the metallic material has a first has a coefficient of thermal expansion, wherein the glass (22) has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the second coefficient of thermal expansion being smaller than the first coefficient of thermal expansion.

3. Window according to claim 2, wherein a deviation of the first coefficient of thermal expansion and the second coefficient of thermal expansion from an average value of the first coefficient of thermal expansion and the second coefficient of thermal expansion is less than 50% of the average value, and in particular less than 25% of the average value and preferably less than 15% of the average value.

4. Windows according to one of the previous claims, PC 25 1260 C 11 / 14 29 July 2025 wherein the glass (22) is a borosilicate glass or a soda-lime glass or a quartz glass.

5. Window according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the metallic material comprises an iron material such as steel, in particular stainless steel or cast iron, or copper such as brass or bronze or aluminum.

6. Window according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner surface (21.11) of the inner side (21.1) of the support ring has at least a section-wise contouring (23), which contouring is at least partially covered by the glass, wherein the contouring has, for example, grooves, ridges, slots or milled indentations.

7. Window according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support ring (21) has an inwardly extending collar (21.3) against which collar the glass is supported.

8. Window according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer surface (21.21) of the outer surface (21.2) has at least a section of a contour (24), wherein the contour has, for example, grooves, ridges, slots or milled indentations or a thread, in particular an Ex d thread.

9. Actuator (1) of automation technology for actuating PC 25 1260 C 12 / 14 July 29, 2025 of a fitting such as a valve or a gate valve in a media line such as a pipeline, comprising: a housing arrangement (10) with at least one housing (11) , wherein the at least one housing is formed by a housing wall (12) , wherein at least one of the at least one housing has a window (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the window is integrated into the housing wall of the housing via a housing opening (12.3).

10. Actuator according to claim 9, wherein the integration of the window (20) via the housing opening (12.3) of the housing wall (12) of the housing (11) is accomplished by at least one of insertion, pressing in, plugging in, screwing in and / or wherein the window is held by positive locking or force locking.

11. Actuator according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the actuator further comprises: a motor (30) such as an electric motor or a fluid motor; an electronic operating circuit (40) for operating the motor; an output (50) for actuating the valve; a transmission (60) for transmitting a torque or force from the motor to the output; PC 25 1260 C 13 / 14 July 29, 2025, wherein the motor, output, electronic operating circuit and gearbox are arranged in the housing assembly.

12. Actuator according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the housing (11) is designed as a flameproof enclosure Ex d.

13. Actuator according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the housing wall has a collar (12.1) which constricts the housing opening (12.3) against which the support ring (21) is supported in at least one axial direction.

14. Actuator according to claim 13, wherein a sealing ring 25 is arranged between the collar (12.1) of the housing wall and the support ring (21), for example in a groove in the support ring or in the collar.

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